Processes for breaking petroleum emulsions



A r 1951 M. DE GROOTE EI'AL 2,549,434

PROCESSES FOR BREAKING PETROLEUM EMULSIONS Filed Aug. 11, 1949 ALPHA TERPINEOL car-+ 0 IOO I002,

INVENTORS,

MELVIN DEGROOTE, ARTHUR EW/RTEL,

A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 17, 1851 FFHCE PRDCESSES FOR BREAKING PETROLEUM EMULSIONS Application August 11, 1949, Serial No. 109,791

This invention relates to processes or procedures particularly adapted for preventing, break- 7 Claims. (Cl. 252-331) mg or resolving emulsions of the water-in-oil type, and particularly petroleum emulsions.

Complementary to the above aspect of the invention herein disclosed is our companion invenarts and industries, along with the method for manufacturing said new chemical products or compounds which are ofoutstanding value in demulsification. See our co-pending application Serial No. 109,792, filed-August l1,-19 l9.-

Our invention provides an economical andrapid process for resolving petroleum emulsions Ofthe water-in-oil type, that are commonly referred to as cut oil, roily oil, emulsified oil, etc., and which comprise fine droplets of natural ly-occurring waters or brines dispersed in a more or less permanent state throughout the oil which constitutes the continuous phase of the emulsion.

It also-provides an economical and rapid process for separating emulsions which have been prepared under controlled conditions from mineral oil, such as crude oil and relatively soft waters or weak brines. Controlled emulsification and subsequent demulsification, under the conditions just mentioned, are of significant value in removing impurities, particularly inorganic salts, from pipeline oil.

Demulsification, as contemplated in the present application includes the preventive step of commingling the 'demulsifier with the aqueous component which would or might subsequently become either phase of the emulsion in the absence of such precautionary measure. 1 Similarly,-'-such demulsifier may be mixed with the hy drocarbon component.

Briefly stated, the present process is concerned with the breaking of petroleum emulsions by means of certain glycol ethers of alpha-terpineol, and particularly in the form of cogeneric mixtures, as hereinafter described. These products are obtained by treatment of alpha-terpineol 55 ignation is entirely proper.

rivative. Such oxyalkylated derivatives are readily prepared from chemical compounds in which the hydrogen atom is directly attached to oxygen, and particularly in the case of alcohols I or phenols such as aliphatic alcohols, phenols, v alkylaryl alcohols, alicyclic alcohols, phenoxyalkanols, substituted phenoxyalkanols, etc. Generally speaking, it has been found advantageous to react a Water-insoluble hydroxylated material, having 8 carbon atoms or more, with an alkylene oxide so as to introduce water solubility, or at least significant or distinct hydrophile character, with the result that the derivative so obtained has surface-active properties. .1 Examples of suitable reactants of this type inclu'de'octyl alcohol, decyl alcohol, dodecyl alcohol, tetradecyl alcohol, octadecyl alcohol, butylphenol; propylphenol,- propylcresol, hexylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol, and cardanol, as well L as the-corresponding alicyclic alcohols obtained by the hydrogenation of the aforementioned phenols. It has been suggested that at least some of such materials be used in the resolution of petroleum emulsions. As far as we are aware,

none of such materials represent products which are acceptable in demulsification today from a competitive standpoint. In the majority of cases such products are apt to be one-sixth, one-fifth, one-fourth, or one-third as good as available demulsifying agents on the same percentage-of-- active-material basis, or same cost basis.

We have discovered a very few exceptions to the above general situation. For example, we

have discovered, if one treats alpha-terpineolwith ethylene oxide and propylene oxide so as to yield-a cogeneric mixture of glycol ethers, that such mixed derivative has unusual properties; provided the composition lies within a certain range, as hereinafter specified. A specific exemplifioation ofthis range is the product obtained by treating one mole of alpha-terpineol with 15 moles of propylene oxide, and then with 18 moles V v of ethylene oxide. Similarly, one may treat the alpha-terpineol with the 18 moles of ethylene oxide first and then with the 15 moles of propylene oxide next.

In subsequent paragraphs from time to time T reference is made to compounds or cogeneric mixtures. At first glance, it may appear that such language is indefinite, and, perhaps, contradictory. It is the intention at the moment only to point out that there is no inconsistency in such description, and that, subsequently,- there Will be acomplete explanation of why such dee The. cogeneric mixtures of glycol ethers of alpha-terpineol are unusually effective demulsifying agents on a comparatively small number of oil field emulsions, which, oddly enough, appear rather widely distributed geographically. There alphaeterpineolr, ether mixtures..-do, not.- appear to J be. universally; competitive,, and; as a matter of fact, appear to be highly selective in regard to their action as demulsifying agents. However, such products have significant utility in a number of difierent oil fields where them serve better than any other available demulsi fying agent. Their utility may,-- ofcourse;.,in--- crease as time goes along.

The attached drawing is that ofta convene-'15: tional graph for representation of propor tions of constituents for three-component. compost. tions wherein the proportions of each may varyfrom zero to 100%. Compositions whichahaverr the three constituents present in such propor- 1310115.: asstoefal-l' withing-thertareaz 8, 9,7, l 8 and; i l arev:tl1ose-:the.-;use ,'Of which. .is; claimed. ,in this, application-.1

It -is;;ver-y peculiar that the efiectiveness of, thee demulsif'ying: :agentsherein: described seems 1301108 limitedwtosa verygnarrow' range, or-area; as far as; composition goes. Referenceeis,1Inadeto,.-theeace companying.drawingginavhich there-is. presented a triangular graph, showing;thee-composition of certain glycol ethers of; alpha-terpineol,-- onv COrgeneric mixtur,es .-thereot, ,derivable from alphaeterpineol and-.ethyleneroxidealone, orealphaetere: pineolean'd p ropylene.;oxide-;alone;- or -alpha -:ter.-: pineol, and both propyleneisoxide;.and.ethylene.-

oxide, in- ;-ter-m's 0t the-ginitial-reactantse We -have cally; particularly effective;demulsi-fying agents n appear.:within. at-smaller-i range; ,as -se.tzforth lap DIOXiIIIfitBIYj by; the area ,iindicatedi by: the. 56g merit of: 3w. circle .in: Which1' the -areaof .thegse y ment is limited. to derivatives.in which alpha-tel.- pineol contributes .-;at ;least--.4-% ;by=;weight -.of.-.the-. ultimate compound or cogeneri'c mixture.

The;circle=aitself isridentifiedvby, the fact .-,that t theeppints-l 3 and ,faiappear you. the circle. The more effective: ofrtheseebetterz compoundss-or -,co.- generic :mixtures are -those which: appear r-with-in the triangle -which1-represents part ofthe circleand: part 1 ot; the segment; to; wit,,. the triangle identified.by;the points;l;Stand The most .ef-F fectiye:g.compourrds or 'cogenericP mixtureseof all; are; those; whichfall; Within: the inner; central; 5 5 triangles of, i the; larger H outer triangle; identified by,.-the gpoints l ,3 and ,6 to ,-wit, ,the: zsmal-lerxtri'w angle-:11dentified iby; the: points: 2 ,r. 41-. and: 5.1:, The: mostsoutstanding of theseqeife ctivezcompoundspr cogeneriojgmixtures; is ione which 1a-ppears;;-tor ;fall:

substantiallyattheicenter.otthesmaller triangle, identified by point -i 1.; This particular; point is obtained by treating .one .molesof alpha-ter-pineol with.L15 -moles ofrpropylene oxide,:,followed. by..;" treatment with:1 8 moles of ethylenecoxider In spite of the, unique character o- ;the T601111- pounds ori-cogeneric -previously;described-, werhave made additionally, an-invention within an -inven-' tional, Thiscan beillustrated.by;reference torthez.

compounds orcog-eneric mixtures whosecomposi-e 7o tion .-is-deter-m-ined by theinner: triangle 2, 4, 56

This ypreferred :-c1ass,--of, derivatives, I or for that matten: allithe. herein described products, canbe made in sthreedifferent ways: (a), ,byadding propylene oxide first and then. .ethylene; oxide; ,(b-l ;v

by adding ethylene oxide first and then propylene oxide; or (c) by adding the two oxides by random, indifferent, or uncontrolled addition so as to produce a polyglycol ether in which the propylene radicals and ethylene radicals do not appear inicontinuous, succession ..but. are. heterogeneously; distributed.

We have found that if propylene oxide is added first, and then ethylene oxide is added, the compounds or cogeneric mixtures so obtained are invariably an'dinevitably more ffective as demulsifiers; and are also more effective for other purposes-thanithecomparable glycol ethers of alphaterpineol made by; combining the three reactants mlanyyotherrsequence. This will be explained furthenwith' additional illustrations subsequently.

- Asan. illustration. of the preparation of various compounds or cogeneric mixtures, and particularlyethea-most desirable ones, and also those which are helpful in setting the limits in the gra n reviously referred v.to, the; following ex.- amples .are. included; In connection. .With .thesei. examples, it will .be noted that .theeoxyalkylation? of alphaeterpienoh ,i.-,.e;, by treatment with ethyl-1 enea oxide?" or. propylene oxide on; a mixture of the: two, is conventionalv The; procedure is conducted,.. in. the same.- manner. employed; in connection; with; other alcohols.- or. the] like, and generally, an alkaline catalyst; is :employed. See, for. example; U.-

Patent: No." 2,440,993,. dated. April::20,.,19.48, to.Israe1, ,andt. Britishlfjatent .No. 602.5%,anpl edrior, February 12, 1945i,

Example 1.2

The reactiomvessel;employed;wasea'astainlessa: stee1:.autoc1ave-;.with ,the: usual; devicesgforgheate ing eat. ;control;. stirrer; inlet; outlet, ,etc; which: is conventionalsin gthis.typezior apparatus-L. The a capacitywasxapproximately figallonsr Thestirx rer. roperated... at a--,speed=;-,o approximatelyy 25.0.- RVP; M. Therewere chargedintmthe autoclave: 15.4--pounds of -,a1pha+.ter-p;ine01-., Thereawere-rthen added. 12 /2 ounces (approximately 5 by;.weight) of groundicaustic sodaz. The iautoclave yvas sealed; swept with, nitrogen gas, andstirring started; 1111-2"- med-iatelyi-andt heat applied, andthe :temperature allowed .to rise to approximatelyl50 (3. At this." pointaddition-of propylene oxidegwasstartedi- It was .added icontinuously at such; speed; that it was; absorbedbythereaction as rapidly-as added; The-1.1 amount -ofpropylene ,oxide added ;was 88; pounds. The time required to add this propylene oxide was; slightly; in excess of one hour, about 1 /4. hOlllSE Duringthistime-the temperature {was maintained:v

at 15.0 to 160, C4; ,,using;:cooling vwater;through: the inner .coilsiwhenznecessary;andmtherwise ape plyin heat. if. -;required-.. At :the iendmr :theaddi: tion:..0t: he propyienwoxidez-there was; added-:5 ethylenee oxide, as preyiously 7 indicated: The:- amount of ethylene oxide addediwasgfio poundsz. The-temperatureeemployed andz operating condiL-I'. tions, werezthe sameqasrwith they-addition of 5 propyleneeoxider, It '15". togbe noted, however; that", ethylene szoxidegappearsz-zto: .belrmoreareactiver and: thetreaction seems lac-require -=azz reater 1' amount: of -:cooline;.,water rto .hold,;.thegtemperatureerangee indicated, The time-required tozaddthegethylen,. oxide was. about thesame; or slightly less, usually just;aJittIemOrethan an hour.

During the additioneof the; oxides :the pressure; was held at approximately 50 pounds per square..- inch gauger pressure, orless; When all the oxide;- had :been added-q (ethylene oxide vbeingtheefinal addition. l in this. particular: instance) the; auto-:

such as aromatic hydrocarbons, and others, al-

though not solubl in some non-polar hydrocarbon solvents. The final yield was substantially the total weight of the initial reactants.

Example 2 The same procedure was followed as in Example 1, preceding, except that the order of addition of the oxides was reversed, the ethylene oxide being added first and the propylene oxide last. The time period, temperature range, pressure, etc., were kept the same as in Example 1, preceding.

Example 3 The same procedure was followed as in Example 1, except that a mixture, to wit, 168 pounds of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, were added over a two-hour period. This mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide was obtained from 88 pounds of propylene oxide and 80 pounds of ethylene oxide. In this instance again the time range, temperature, and pressure were kept substantially the same as in Example 1, preceding.

Example 4 in many instances, absorption was'c'omplete in 5 to 10 or 15 minutes, as compared to one hour on a larger scale. Needless to say, on a large scale, addition must be conducted carefully because there is an obvious hazard in handling a large quantity of material in an autoclave which is not necessarily present in the use of a smal vessel. Example 5 The same procedure was followed as in Example 4, preceding, in every respect, except the variation described in Example 2, preceding, 1. e., the ethylene oxide, was added first and the propylene oxide added last.

Example 6 The same procedure was followed as in Example 4 in every instance, except the modification previously described in Example 3, to wit, the propylene oxide and the ethylene oxide were mixed together and added in approximately 15 minutes to one-half hour. In all other respects the procedure was identical with that described in Example 4. J

The following table includes a series of compounds or cogeneric'mixtures which have been selected as exemplifying the herein included products. Types of the herein noted compounds or cogeneric mixtures have been produced in three different ways: (a) first adding the propylene oxide and then the ethylene oxide; (1)) first adding the ethylene oxide and then the propylene oxide; and (c) mixing the ethylene oxide and the propylene oxide together and adding them simultaneously.

The data are summarized in the following table:

Alpha-Terpineol Propylene Oxide Ethylene Oxide Point on graph No Weight Weight Weight identi ing Weight M0131 lfer Qent, Welght Molal Per Cent, Weight Mom Per Cent, specific Used, in Ratio in Final Used, in Ratio in Final Used, in R in Final Glycol Grams Glycol Grams Glycol Grams a o Glycol Ether Ether Ether Ether A. 154 l. 0 15.0 462 7. 96 45 411 9. 34 1 154 1. 0 10. O 771 13. 3 50 615 14. 0 40 2 154 1. 0 5. 0 1, 700 29.3 55 1, 232 28. 0 40 3 154 l. 0 l0. 0 693 ll. 95 693 15. 77 45 4 154 1.0 5.0 1, 542 26. 6 1, 390 31. 6 45 5 154 1.0 5.0 1, 390 23. 95 45 l, 542 35.10 50 6 154 1. 0 8. 45 866 14. 95 47. 800 18. 17 44 7 154 1. 0 9. 2 812 14. 0 48. 6 704 16. 0 42. 2 154 1.0 9.0 812 14.0 47. 4 748 17. 0 43. 6 154 1. 0 8. 8 812 14. O 46. 2 792 18. O 45. 0 154 1. 0 8. 7 870 15. 0 49. 0 748 17. O 43. 3 154 1.0 8. 45 866 14. 96 47.55 800 18.17 44 9 7 154 1.0 8. 3 870 15.0 46. 7 836 19.0 45. 0 154 l. 0 2 934 16. 0 49. 5 792 18. 0 42. 3 154 1.0 8. 0 934 16.0 48. 5 836 19. 0 43. 5 154 l. 0 7. 8 934 16. 0 47. 4 880 20. 0 44. 8 154 1. 0 20. 0 200 3. 45 26 416 9. 45 54 p 3 8 154 1.0 4.0 1, 000 17.25 26 2, 690 61. 2 70 -9 154 l. 0 4. 0 2, 925 50. 4 76 770 17. 5 20 3 10 154 1.0 20.0 462 7. 96 154' 3. 5 20 ll 1 Within inner triangular area. 3 Duplicated for convenience. 3 Indicates limits of trapezoidal area.

In the preparation of the above compounds the alkaline catalyst used was either flake caustic soda finely ground with mortar and pestle, 'or powdered sodium methylate, equivalent to 5% by weight of the alpha-terpineol which was employed.

For reasons which are pointed out hereinafter in greater detail, it is substantially impossible to use conventional methods and obtain a single glycol ether of the kind described. Actually, one obtains a cogeneric mixture of closely related'or touching, homologues. These materials invaria'biye'hayeFhigh:imolecuiarweightssandpannot:bec separated.- fromi 0115:: another: y: ant known 1 method-2 without s-decomposition. The :properties otssuclria;:mixturerepresent theacontribu-tion :of

the :various:individualimembers ;of the :mixture: Although: one cannot draw; a .single: formula and 4 say that Lbya following such", and; such procedure one can obtain 80% or 90% or 100%, of,

such single compoundiyetaone can readily draw thesformulas, of y a lar enumber of compounds whichuappearingsome of thev mixtures described elsewhere, orv can, begpreparedf readily as com-'- ponents: of mixtures; which are manufactured} mulas, since ROI-Lcanrepresent alpha-terpineol,1,

R0 is ,the etherr radical obtained fromalpha.- terpineol byv removal of Tthe,, hydr0gen atom at-' tach'edhto theox genatomn If one selects anyhydroxylated compoundiand Subjects such; compound ;to,-;oxyalkylation, such as oxyethylation, or oxypropylation; it becomes obvious -that one-is-really--preducing a polymerofthe alkylene oxide except for the terminal group. This is particularly true where the amount of oxide added is comparatively large, for instances 10,20,30 409M 50 uni-ts." If such a compound subjected-to oxyethylation so as to introd-uce 30-" uni-ts --of--=ethylene mxide, it is well individual members presentsignificant amount may:.-var.y from instances where n has asvalue of moles of-- v ethyleneoxide;

25s and perhaps less to 1: a:v point .1 where: n=+ may? represent 35i-or more. Such mixture is, as-statcd;v an cogeneric; c. closely related series; of: touching: homologous .compounds.=v Considerable investigas i tionhasib'eenmade in regard to thedistribue tion curves for linear polymers. Attentioniiss'; directed 1 to the article. entitled Fundamental: principles: of condensation polymerizationflf by: PauliJj. Flory, which appeared in Chemical 'Res views,:1volurne.39, No. 1; page 1372 Unfortunately, as has been: pointed out by Flory. and other investigators, there is no Sails! factory method; .based on either experimental on; mathematical examination of indicating the exact proportion of the various members of touchhomologous series which appear-in cogeneric condensation products of the kind. described." This means that 'fromvthe practical standpoint, is a, the ability to describe how to make-theproduct under consideration and now to repeatsuch pro--- duction -time after time without difliculty, it'-isnecessary to resort to someiother method of description.

Actually; from a practical standpoint; itis much more satisfactory; perhaps; to describe the ultimate composition'in terms of--the reactants, i. e-;, alpha-terp-ineol and the two alkylene oxides; The reason for" this statement is the following. If one selects aspecificcompound, it must be" borne in mind that suchcompoundis'specific only insofar that the cogeneric' mixture in -termsof a statistical average will conform to'-this"= formula. This may berillustrated by an example sue-has RO(C3H60)15(C2H40)18H. If one combines the reactants inqthe predetermined weight,

ratio so as to give theoretically thisspecific component, and assuming only one chemical compoundwere formed, what happens'is that; al-- though this particular compoundirnay be present in asignifican-t amount and probably less than 50%,v actually one obtains a cogeneric mixture of touching homologues-in which the statistical average. does correspond to this formula. For instance, selecting-reactants, which, at least theoret cally couldg give the single compound RO C3HGO 15 C2H40218H, what actually happens is that. one; obtains a sort of double cogeneric mixture, for-the reason that/in" each batch or continuous addition'of an; alkylene oxide a cogeneric mixture is formed. Since the present products require-the addition of at least two different multi-inolar proportions of each of two different alkylene oxides (ethylene. oxide and. propylene oxide) it becomes obvious that a rather complex cogeneric mixture must result.

This can be best. illustrated by example. Assume that one is going to use the indicated ratio, to wit, one, pound mole of "alpha-terpineol, l5 poundmolesof propylenaoxide, and 18 pound Theinitial step involves the treatment oi one pound mole of alphaterpineol. with 15'pound; moles of propylene oxide so as to yield theoretically RO(C3I-IeO)15I-I; actually, as :pointed out, one-does not obtainw R0 (Calico) in which nisl5,lbut really,one obtains acogeneric, mixture, in which there are: present, significant-.- amounts ,of ,homolognes in which err-varies from, 10,111 and;12;on;up.to,17,'18 andpossibly 19.101. 20: ,A statistical average, however, must, of course correspond to the proportion. of t the initial reactants, i. e., a compound;oflhefbrmula 7 9 which is present undoubtedly to a significant extent.

When this cogeneric mixture is then subjected to reaction with 18 moles of ethylene oxide, it becomes obvious that, although one may obtain some R(C3H60)15(C2H40) 18H, yet this particular product can only be present to a minor extent for reasons which have been described in connection with oxyethylation and which now are magnified to a greater degree by oxypropylation. Stated another way, it is probable that the cogeneric mixture represents something like in which, as previousl pointed out, components present in important percentages are those in which 11 could vary from anywhere beginning with to 12, on up to 18 or 20. By the same token, components present in important percentages are those in which 11. could vary anywhere from 13 or 14 up to the lower s, such as 21, 22, 23 or 24. Indeed, homologues of a lower or a higher value of n and n will be present in minor amounts, the percentage of such components decreasing, the further removed they are from the average composition. However, in spite of such variation in regard to the cogeneric mixtures, the ultimate composition, based on the ingredients which enter into it and based on the statistical average of such constituents, can still be expressed by the formula RO(C3I-Ie-O)15(C2I-I4O)1sII. This actual product exists to some degree in the cogeneric mixture, but it should be looked upon as a statistical average formula rather than the structure of a single or predominant compound in the mixture.

A second reason for employing a reaction mixture to describe the product is the fact that the molal proportions need not represent whole numbers. We have just pointed out that if one selects molal proportions corresponding to R0 (CsHeO) 15 (Cal-I) 18H then the constituents are added in actual molar proportions based on whole numbers. If, however, one selects a point in the inner triangular area, which, when recalculated in terms of molar proportions, produces a fractional number, there is still no reason why such proportion of initial reactant should not be adopted. For instance, one might select a point in the triangular graph, which, when calculated in terms of molecular proportions, represents a formula, such as the following: RO(C3H6O) 15.5(C2H4O) 18H. This, Of course, would be immaterial, for the reason that if one starts with a pound mole of alpha-terpineol and adds 15.5 pound moles of propylene oxide, one will obtain, on the average, a mixture closely comparable to the one previously described, using exactly 15 pound moles of propylene oxide instead of 15.5. Such mixture corresponds to the compound RO(C3H60)15.5H only in the sense of the average statistical value, but not in the sense that there actually can be a compound corresponding to such formula. Further discussion of this factor appears unnecessary, in light of what has been said previously.

Such mixture could, of course, be treated with 18 pound moles of ethylene oxide. Actually, all that has been said sums up to this, and that is that the most satisfactory way, as has been said before, of indicating actual materials obtained by the usual and conventional oxyalkylation process is in terms of the initial reactants, and

it is obvious that any particular point on-the triangular graph, from a practical aspect, invariably and. inevitably represents the statistical average of several or possibly a dozen or more closely related cogeners of almost the same composition, but representing a series of touching homologues. The particular point selected represents at least the composition of the mixture expressed empirically in the terms of a compound representing the statistical average.

Previous reference has been made to the fact that comparatively few oxyalkylated derivatives of simple hydroxylated compounds find utility in actual demulsification practice. We have pointed out that we have found a very few exceptions to this rule. The fact that exceptions exist, as in the instant invention, is still exceedingly difficult to explain, if one examines the slight contribution that the end group, derived from the hydroxylated material, makes to the entire compound. Referring for the moment to a product of the kind which has been described and identified by the formula RO(C3H6O)15(C2H4O)18H, it becomes apparent that the molecular weightis in the neighborhood of 1800 and actually the alpha-terpineol contributes less than 10% of the molecular weight. As a matter of fact, in other comp-arable compounds the alpha-terpineol may contribute as little as 4% or 5% and yet these particular compounds are effective demulsifiers. Under such circumstances, it would seem reasonable to expect that some other, or almost any other, cyclic 6-carbon atom compound comparable to alpha-terpineol wouldyield derivatives equally effective. Actually, this is not the case. We know of no theory or explanation to suggest this highly specific nature or action of the compound or oogeneric mixture derived from alphaterpineol.

Referring to an examination of the previous list of 32 compounds, it is to be noted that in certain examples, for instance, Examples 9 to 15, inclusive, all the propylene oxide is added first and then the ethylene oxide is added. Compounds indicated by Examples 1 to 8 are substantially the same, as far as composition goes, but are reversed, insofar that the ethylene oxide is added first and then the propylene oxide. Other compounds having substantially the same ultimate composition, or at least, very closely related ultimate compositions, having a further variation in the distribution of the propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, are exemplified by Formulae 16 to 32, inclusive.

As has been pointed out previously, for some reason which we do not understand and for which we have not been able to offerany satisfactory theory, we have found that the best compounds, or, more properly, cogeneric mixtures, are obtained when all the propylene oxide is added first and then all the ethylene oxide is added. Although this is true to at least some extent in regard to all compositions within the trapezoidal area in the triangular graph, yet it is particularl true if the composition comes Within the segment of the circle previously referred to in the drawing. In

such event, one obtains a much more effective demulsifier than by any other combination employing ethylene oxide alone, propylene oxide alone, or any variation in the mixture, of, the two, as illustrated by other formulas, In fact, the compound or cogeneric mixture so obtained, as far as demulsification is concerned, is not infrequently at least one-third better than any other derivative obtained in the manner deaeg s-49, 434

that, in essence, we have found that one isomer "is a' more efiective'demulsifying agent than an- "other isomer. The word isomer is not exactly right, although it is descriptive for the purpose'iintended insofar that we are not concerned with a single compound, but with :a cogeneric "mixture, which, in its statistical average,'xcorresponds to such compound. Statedanother way, 'if'w'e start with one pound mole of alpha-ter- 'pin'eol, '15 pound moles of propylene oxide and 18' pound moles' of ethylene oxide, we can prepare two'different cogeneric'mixtures, which, on a statistical average, correspond to the following:

R (C2 H40) (C5H60) 15H and R0 (CsHeO) 15(CH4O iiiH There is nothing we know which would suggest "that the latterbe" a much more effective demulsi-fying agent than the former and also that it be *i'nore efiective forother industrial purposes. The 'applicants have hadwide experience with a wide variety'of surface-active'agents, but they are un- *aymetre of any other similar situation, with the exception ofa few instances which are the sub- "j'ect-matter of othercopending applications, or iiiiclerinv'es'tigation. This feature represents the invention with an invention previously referred "to; and" thus, becomes the specific subject-matter fclaimed in our" co-pending applications Serial =Nos.=1l0',332 filed August '15, '1949,'and--109,793, "filed August 11, 194;).

Reference has been made to thefact that "the product herein specified, and particularly -for -i1se as a demulsifier} represe'nts a cogeneric mixture of closel related homologues. Thisdoes not ine'an that"onefcould' not use combinations 0f "such 'cog'en'e'ric mixtures. "For 'instance," -in-the *p'revious table dataha've'be'en given for prep'aration of cogeneridmi'xtu'res which statistically correspond,respectivelyftopoints I, Send 6. such "three-"cogeneric mixtures could be-co'mbined in "equal w'eights'so"-as to give a combination in "which' the mixed" statistical" average" would correspond closely to point I.

Similarly, one coulddo the'same'thing bypre- --'parin coge'neric mixtures corresponding to' points 2, '4 and 5, describedin the previous table. Such mixture could then be combined infedua lpa'rts byjwe'ight to give another combination which would closely correspond "on" a mixed statistical basis to point 'I "Nothing saidherein is inten'ded to 'precludesuch combinations of this or "similar type.

Throughout this specification rference'has been made to alph'a t'erpineol. We have-em- "ployed'a commercial product sold by the Hercules Powder 'Company'undenthe designation Terpineol 318 which consists" of 85% alphamelts sufficientlylow for the p'idductto bea liquid at'ordinary temperatures, whereas,'-alph'a- 'tei'pineol' is a mushy crystalline product, which is'some'what mo-re difiicult to handle. Terpineol -318 is also approximately one centa pound ch". ap'er than alphaterpineol. Itis understood that wherever we have sp'e'cified alpha te'r'pineol, "this" particular product can be employed. This, 0f course,'is 'ob vious for ther'eason thati ifdeother product susceptible to oxyethylation oxypropylation, such as menthylcyclohexanolgand subject the :two products to simultaneousioxyalkylation. Fora number of reasons; it-is-ordinarily desirable to use: aprocedure-in whiclronly one product is reacted at'a time.

At times we *have examined samplesof-Terpineol 318 whichappea'red acidic, 'dueto ":the presence apparently'of a resinic acid. Attempt to oxalkylate causes" difficulty because" the alkaline catalyst is neutralized, Insuch cases the acidity should be neutralized and then the-customary amount of catalyst added.

It is possiblethat the oxyalkylation, particularly oxypropylation, of Terpineol 318 is a bit slower than that of'straight' alpha-terpineol, due to the presence ofbeta-t'erpirleol. In our co- 1 pending applications serial'lvos.109,794, 1091795, 109,796, and 109,791, all filed Augustll, I949jwe have pointed out that the'oxypropylation, for example, of beta terpineol, was slower than thatof alpha-terpineol.

Conventional demulsi fy'ing agents employed the treatment ofoil' field emulsionsare used'as such, or after "dilution withany' suitable solvent, such 'as' Water, petroleum hydrocarbons," suchas benzene, toluene, xylene, tar'acid 011, 'cresolfanthracene oil, etc. Alcohols, particularly aliphatic alcohols, such as methyl "alcohol; ethyl'aicohol, denatured aleoholjpropyl'alcohol, butyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, 'octyl'j'alcohol, etc., may"be"e'm- 'ployed as diluents. "Miscellaneous'solventsfsuch "as pine-oil, carbon"tetrabhloridefsulfur dioxide extract obtained"in'the renningj'of' petroleum, etc, maybe employed as diluents. "Similarly; the

material or materials'employed as the demulsiiying agent of our process may be admixedwith one or more of the solvents customarily used in connection with conventional 'aemu'l'sifying agents. 'Mo'reover," said material ormat'enals may be 'usedalone or 'in admixture with'other suitable well -kno'wn "classes of demulsiiying agents. 7

It is well known that conventional demulsifying agents may f be used in a water-soluble form,

or'in an oil-soluble form, or ina form exhibiting both oiland wat'er solubility. Sometimes :they

may be used'in -a form whichexhibits relatively "limited. Oil-SOlIlbilitY. However, smce'suchreagents are' frequently used"-'in*a"ratio of l- -to 10,000, or I to 20,000, or 1- to 30,000, or even" 1-to 40,000, or 1 to 50',000,'as-' in desalting practice,

' such an apparent insolubility in oil and wateris --'-not significant? because said reagents undoubted- 'ly have solubility"within' 's'uchconcentrations.

This same factis true in regard to thematerial 'or' materials employed as the -dmulsifying agent "of our process.

'In' practising our process 'for "resolving petroleum emulsions of the water-in-oil' type, a treating agent or'dem'ulslfying' agentof the kind above described is' brought into contact with. or caused to actupon the emulsion to be treated, in" any "of the various apparatus now"generally'- usedto resolve or break petroleum emulsions with a chemical reagent, the' 'above'pr'oce'durebeingused "alone or in combination with other demulsifying procedure, such'-=as :the "electrical dehydration process.

One type of procedure *is to accumulate a volume of emulsified -oilin a tankand tenant-ta batch treatment t'ype 0f demulsification pm- :cedureto recoverclean oil. *In 'this rocedure *the emulsion i's 'a' "mixed witlithe demiilsifi'er, for "siredj'one' canm'ix alpha-terpineol with-shine '75'exampleby agitating thetank*of emu-increase slowly dripping demulsifier into the emulsion. 'In some cases mixing is achieved by heating the emulsion while dripping in the demulsifier, depending upon the convection currents in the emulsion to produce satisfactory admixture. In a third modification of this type of treatment, a circulating pump withdraws emulsion from, e. g., the bottom of the tank, and re-introduces it into the top of the tank, the demulsifier being added, for example, at the suction side of said circulating pump.

In a second type of treating procedure, the demulsifier is introduced into the well fluids at the well-head or at some point between the well-head and the final oil storage tank, by means of an adjustable proportioning mechanism orproportioning pump. Ordinarily the v flow or" fluids through the subsequent lines and fitting sulfices to produce the desired degree of mixing of demulsifier and emulsion, although in some instances additional mixing devices may be introduced into the flow system. In this general procedure, the system may include various mechanical devices for withdrawing free water, separating entrained water, or accomplishing quiescent settling of the chemicalized emulsion. Heating devices may likewise be incorporated in any of the treating procedures described herein.

A third type of application (down-the-hole) of demulsifier to emulsion is to introduce the de- 'mulsifler either periodically or continuously in diluted or undiluted form into the well and to allow it to come to the surface with the well fluids, and then to flow the chemicalized emulsion through any desirable surface equipment, such as employed in the other treating procedures. This particular type of application is decidedly useful when the demulsifier is used in connection with acidification of calcareous oil-bearing strata, especially if suspended in or dissolved in the acid employed for acidification.

In all cases, it will be apparent from the foregoing description, the broad process consists simply in introducing a relatively small propor tion of demulsifier into a relatively large proportion of emulsion, admixing the chemical and emulsion either through natural flow or through special apparatus, with or without the application of heat, and allowing the mixture to stand quiescent until the undesirable water content of the emulsion separates and settles from the mass.

The following is a typical installation:

A reservoir to hold the demulsifier of the kind described (diluted or undiluted) is placed at the well-head where the eliluent liquids leave the well. This reservoir or container, which may vary from gallons to 50 gallons for convenience, is connected to a proportioning pump which injects the demulsifier drop-wise into the fluids leaving the well. Such chemicalized fluids pass through the fiowline into a settling tank. The settling tank consists of a tank of any convenient size,

for instance, one which will hold amounts of fluid produced in 4 to 24 hours (500 barrels 150 2000 barrels capacity), and in which there is a perpendicular conduit from the top of the tank to almost the very bottom so as to permit the incoming fluids to pass from the top of the settling tank to the bottom, so that such incoming fluids do not disturb stratification which takes place during the course of demulsification. Thesettling tank has two outlets, one being below the water level to drain ofi the water resulting from demulsification or accompanying the emulsion as free water, the other being an oil outlet at i4 the top to-permit the passage of dehydrated-oil to a second tank, being a storage tank, which holds pipeline or dehydrated oil. If desired, the conduit or pipe which serves to carry the fluids from the well to the settling tank may include a section of pipe with baffles to serve as a mixer, to insure thorough distribution of the demulsifier throughout the fluids, or a heater for raising the temperature of the fluids to some convenient temperature, for instance, to F., or both heater and mixer.

Demulsification procedure is started by simply setting the pump so as to feed a comparatively large ratio of demulsifier, for instance, 115,000. As soon as a complete break or satisfactory demulsification is obtained, the pump is regulated until experience shows that the amountv of demulsifier being added is just sufiicient to produce clean or dehydrated oil. The amount being fed at such stage is usually 1:10,000, 1:15,000, 1:20,000, or the like.

In many instances the oxyalkylated products herein specified as demulsiflers can be conveniently used. without dilution. However, as previously noted, they may be diluted as desired with any suitable solvent. For instance, by mixing 75 parts by weight of an oxyalkylated' derivative, for example, the product of Example 1, with 15 parts by Weight of xylene and 10 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol, an excellent demulsiher is obtained. Selection of the solvent will vary, depending upon the solubility characteristics of the oxyalkylated product, and of course, will be dictated in part by economic considerations, i. e., cost.

Asv noted above, the products herein described may be used not only in diluted form, but also may be used admixed with some other chemical demulsifier. For example, a mixture which exemplifies such combination is illustrated by the following: A

Oxyalkylated derivative, for example, the prodnot of Example 1, 20%;

A cyclohexylamine salt of a polypropylated naphthalene monosulfonic acid, 24%;

An ammonium salt of a polypropylated naphthalene mono-sulfonic acid, 24%;

A sodium salt of oil-soluble mahogany petroleum sulfonic acid, 12%;

A high-boiling aromatic vent, 15%.

Isopropyl alcohol, 5%.

The above proportions are all Weight percents.

The highly specific nature of the present invention is emphasized by the following fact: If alpha-terpineol is first subjected to moderate hydrogenation so as to eliminate the unsaturation and convert the product into dihydro-alphaterpineol, and if dihydro-alpha-terpineol is employed to replace alpha-terpineol in the preparation of the herein described derivatives, we have found such products to show a diiferent solubility character; and what is more important, to be without any significant value for one of the most important purposes for which such derivatives can be employed, to Wit, the demulsi fication of petroleum emulsions of the water-inoil type.

Throughout the specification elsewhere, reference has been made to homologues. It is quite likely that it would be equally proper in numerous instances, and perhaps in all the herein described products, to refer to isomers as well as homologues. The reason for this statement is that propylene oxide, as differentiated from petroleum solthidene brideranges-least 'tneprtieaiiy, {-hine'"with"afiyd-rdxylated material ROI-I we w difierent derivatives/ lame bein'g ='a. primary "'alcoholafid'thebth'era secondary alcohol. 'I-his 'isj' i'llustratd pythe following:

-Elsewherein the-specification the wordisomer hasbeen-used thus: isomer. It .is 'not'believed -there is any confusion between such terminology 'inthat :particularlinstance-and what issaid-imme diately preceding.

Attention -is directed tothe fact that the herefin' described compounds; compositions and the like which are particularlyadapted-for use as deniulsifiers 'forwaterdn oil emulsions; as found in the. petroleum industryfare' hydroxylated-zderivatives, i. r e. carry" or' include zaterminal: hy-

droxyl radical as part-0f their structure. Wife 2 have-found that if such hyd-roxylated:compound or compounds are-reacted further so as to producefentirely new derivatives," 'such' new derivabiVBs have I the; properties of the origin'al hy- -droxylatd cbmp0und insofar-that they are effective and valuable demulsifying agents for -resolution of :water-in oil emulsions; as found in .:the;-petr01eum industryfias break iridiicers in doctor-.treatinent'of sour crudefetc.

l'ihe duatemarwc'dnrpwrid bbtaind y reaeting a. O nmcmaomcmon 0114s *Amon 'thevahousimi'dsormbnocarboxyacids 0 suitable- Tor preparation *of esters are" the"alpha- 5 "In'this"particular'instance, awn-answer in- -s'tancesjonemayfprepare'ei'ther a tctal ester "or "a;partia1ester,' and when carboxy; acids. are. employed, one "may. have not em partial esters 'which 'h'ai/e r'e's'i'du'al hydrbxyl radicals .or re- 51180 si'dualca'rboxyradicalshbiitlalsolpartial e'sterslin which bothare. present.

A" somewhat' siniilaftype 6f ester is obtained "from" hydroiiyacejtylated drastically-oxidized. cas- "to'rloilTattyflcids. It'is td'bepoihted outiIthat Such hy r xyl d mpounds eanbe tre t-$5 hydroxya'cetyiation "-may takeplace fir'st, arid ed" with* various reactants suchast g'lycide," epi- 'chiorohydrin, dim'ethyl" sulfate, :s'ulfuric "acid, maieic anhydride, ethylene im-ine, "etc. -If treated "with 'tepi'chlorohydrin or monochlorodra'stic .zox'id'a'tion subsequently, or the rev'erse may be 'trde, 'or" bbth.. procedures Ima Lbeconductd"'simii1'tai'1eo1isly. In any event, 'such productssiipply acyl' radicals of one'type 6f. ester -acetic acid, the resultant product can be' further 40 "he'fein included.

reacted with a tertiary amine such asgpyridine, -or-the 'likej tcngive-duaternaryammcnium dompounds. If treated with maleic anhydride give a. total: ester; the 'resultant c'an :be treated with sodium bisu1fite"to?yield as'sulfesuccinate. Sillio: groups can be -intro'duced a1so by-' means of a sulfating 'agent as previdusly 'su'ggested;1'or 'by:- treating the: chloroacetic acid resultant with sodium sulfite. I

-However; the class :of 'derivativesinestreadily prepared in wide variety are the estersdf mimocarboxy and polycarboxy acids.

ASSUming a typicalrderivative which fcamb' in- -di'catedthus 'ROICai-IaO) h (CzHiO) 1 H "the' 'str Off-" 13116 T m?)1'1'0(ll'fllrbbiiy acid is? as 'TOHWS 2 Thehhlomaceticacid ester is as-followsz Another somewhat Siriiilarbltiss are esters 'obtained from 'hydroxyacetylated drastically-oxidized dehydrated ricinoleic acid. In'this'nclass r'icinoleic 1 acid, castor" oil, or the/like; is subjected to dehydration as an initial step. Such products 'maybeempmyedwo' supply the" acyl radical tr cneitype of? ester: herein included.

*Anothefty'pe'of ester which-may be employed -isa'sullfo" fattyac'id 'est'er iri which-there is pres- "ent atjleast sandznotmorejohan'zz carbon atoms "in the'fatty'aCidradiCaI. The sulfo'radical-in- V .cludes both" the acid"sulfona'tes and the sulf'onic acids. Briefly fstated; suitable sulfo acids herein employed as "reactants 'are siil'fo oleic, sul'fo ricinoleic, "sulfo' aromaticfiatty acids obtained, "for" 'exampleffrombenzene; toluenefxylene," etc., and 'oleic" acid," or'some other unsaturated acid. "Another" c1ass?of acids" are" p'olycarboxy' acids, such "as commonly used in forming; plasticizers, =p'oiyester'wesins:etc. One-may use a tri'ca rboiiy acidj'such' as tricarballylic acid,'or' citric" acid,biit =ou r preference is-to employ" a" dicarboxyacidj or acid anhydride; such as oxalic acid; m'aleic acid, tartaric ""acid, c'itr'acon'ic acid, .phthalic "acid, 'adipic acid; 'succinicacid, azelaic" acid, sebacic acid, adductacids cbtainedbymeaction between m'alei'c 'anhydride, itrac'onic anhydride, and *butadiene, dig'ly'coliic acid," or I cyclop'entadi'ene. Basilio-acid is" n'ot quite as satisfactcry as some "of thdotheracids, duetoitstendencywo decompo's'e. In light"cffi'aw*"materiah'costs, itisfour preference "to "use phthalic "a'nhydride, *m'aleic ='gnhydride,' "itrac'onicanhydride;"dilycollidacid, adipic acid" and 'certainpther "acids "imthesame sistant. "One'may also use adduct' acids of the diene or Clocker type.

Another class of esters are derived from certain high molal monocarboxy acids. It is well known that certain monocarboxy organic acids containing 8 carbon atoms or more, and not more than 32 carbon atoms, are characterized by the fact that they combine with alkalies to produce soap or soap-like materials. These detergent-forming acids include fatty acids, resin acids, petroleum acids, etc. For the sake of convenience, these acids will be indicated by the formula R.COOH. Certain derivatives of detergent-forming acids react with alkali to produce soap or soap-like materials and are the obvious equivalent of the unchanged or unmodifled detergent-forming acids. For instance, instead of fatty acids, one might employ the chlorinated fatty acids. Instead of the resin acids, one might employ the hydrogenated resin'acids. Instead of naphthenic acids, one might employ brominated naphthenic acids, etc.

The fatty acids are of the type commonly referred to as higher fatty acids; and, of course,

this is also true in regard to derivatives of the kind indicated, insofar that such derivatives are obtained from higher fatty acids The petroleum acids include not only naturally-occurring naphthenic acids, but also acids obtained by the oxidation of wax, paraflin, etc. Such acids may have as many as 32 carbon atoms. For instance, see U. S. Patent No. 2,242,837, dated May 20, 1941, toShields. 1

The monocarboxy detergent-forming esters of the oxyalkylated derivatives herein described, are preferably derived from unsaturated fatty acids having 18 carbon atoms. Such unsaturated fatty acids include oleic acid, ricinoleic acid,'linoleic acid, etc. One may employ mixed fatty acids, as,

for example, the fatty acids obtained from hydrolysis of cottonseed oil, soyabean oil, etc. It is our ultimate preference that the esters of the kind herein contemplated be derived from unsaturated fatty acids, and more especially, un-

saturated fatty acids containing a hydroxyl hydrated castor oil, may be employed to supply the acyl radical. Inother instances, one may produce mixed esters by using polycarboxy acids, such as phthalic acid, diglycollic acid, etc., in combination with detergent-forming acids, such as oleic acid, stearic acid, naphthenic acid, etc.

Other carboxy acids may be employed in which there is also a sulfo group present, such as sulfo phthalic, sulfo benzoic, sulfo succinic, etc. Esters may be obtained from low molal hydroxylated acids having less than 8 carbon atoms, such as hydroxyacetic acid, lactic acid, etc. Similarly, one may employ low molal aliphatic acids having less than 8 carbon atoms, such as acetic acid, butyric acid, etc. Similarly, one may employ low molal acids having the vinyl radical, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, etc. It will be noted that these acids contain various numbers of acyl radicals varying generally up to 22 carbon atoms for the monocarboxy acids, and as many as 36 carbon atoms in the case of certain polycarboxy acids, particularly the dimer obtained by the dimerization of 9,11-octadecadienic acid. As to this particular product, see U. S. Patent No. 2,347,562, dated April 25, 1944, to Johnston.

Other suitable acids are cyclic monocarboxy acids having not over 32 carbon atoms. Ex amples of such acids include cyclohexane acetic acid, cyclohexane butyric acid, cyclohexane ropionic acid, cyclohexane caproic acid, benzoic acid, salicyclic acid, phenoxy acetic acid, etc.

The preparation of such esters are conventional and do not require elaborate description. Generally speaking, our procedure is toreact the appropriate amount of a selected hydroxylated compound withthe free acid in presence of a high boiling solvent, such as xylene, using 1% or 2% of para-toluene 'sulfonic acid along with a phase-separating trap until the amount of water indicates the reaction is complete, or sub stantially complete. The time required is usually 4 to 20 hours Such esters are, as previously stated, very effective for resolution of'water-in-oil emulsions, as found in the petroleum industry.

The triangular graph represents the threecomponent system. Using 4 reactants, i; e., the three depicted in the triangular graph plus glycide, gives a four-reactant system which yields obtained. Such products ormixtures thereof,

having at least 8 and not more than 32 carbon atoms, and having at least one carboxyl group or the equivalent thereof, are suitable as detergent-forming monocarboxy acids; and another analogous class equally suitable is the mixture of carboxylic acids obtained by the alkali treatment of alcohols of high molecular weight formed in the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide.

One may have esters derived not only from a single class of acids of the kind described, but also from more than one class, i. e., one may employ mixed esters, such as esters obtained, for example, from high molal detergent-forming acids having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, as previously described, in combination with acids of the alpha halogen carboxy type having less than 8 carbon atoms, such as chloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, etc., as previously described.

Drastically-oxidized oil, such as drasticallyoxidized castor oil, or drastically-oxidized dederivatives at least equal for demulsification of water-in-oil emulsions to those herein described. The use of glycide in a four-component reactant permits unusual structure, as, for example, a variety of furcation. Thus, the hydroxylated initial reactant can be treated with glycide in the conventional manner, using an alkaline catalyst and after an introduction of a mole-formole ratio of glycide, then propylene oxide can be introduced in the manner previously described, and thereafter ethylene oxide can be added. If desired, the propylene oxide can be introduced first and then one mole of glycide added, followed by ethylene oxide, or both procedures can be employed.

Moreover, glycide can be used to replace a substantial part or greater part of the ethylene oxide, or propylene oxide, or both. Such compounds can be converted into various derivatives of the kind previously described. Under such circumstances, reaction with glycide and an end reactant to supply a terminal radical is not considered as forming a derivative, but as simply forming the end material. The ester and similar derivatives so obtained from the four-component original system, i. e., the ones including"glycide are. also veryeffective-"for. demulsification. of. water-ineoil; emulsions, as found inthe-oi1-.industry-.

Having; thus described our invention, whatwe claim as new and: desire tosecure; by Letters Patentis:

1,. A process. for breaking petroleum emulsions of; the water-inroil type, characterized, by subjecting theemulsionrto thefactioniofademulsifier including at least one: cog-eneric. mixtures of a homologous series. of: glycol: ethers of alpha-terspineol; said cogeneric mixture-being derived exclusively from; alpha-terpineol, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide in; such Weigh-t; proportions sgr theaverage composition of said cogeneric mixture stated. in terms of initialreactants lies approximately within. the? trapezoidal area-v defined approximately inthe drawing by points 85 94; L and Ila 2. Aprocess for: breaking petroleum. emulsions ofv the; water-imoil; type, characterized: by subject-ingz. the emulsion to the action of a demulsifierincluding a. cogeneric mixture off. ahomolo- Ous series; of glycol. ethers of alphat-terpineol; said cogeneric mixture: being. derived exclusively from alpha-terpineol;ethylene oxide andpropyl one; oxide in such: weight. proportions so' the average composition of said-1 cogeneric mixture stated interms, of. initial.- reacta-ntslies: approximately-within: the-trapezoidal area defined approximatelyin the-drawing: by points 8; 9; l0 and ll..

3'. .A process for breaking petroleum: emulsions of; the; water-ineoili type;, characterized-v by sub,- jectin the: emulsion. to the actiomof: av demulsiflex; including: aoogenericamixtureaof' a homoloeons series of glycol EthGI'SiOfi. alpha-terpineol; said; cogenericz mixture; being gderivedi. exclusively from alpha -terpine.ol, ethylene; OXidEFflild", propyls enezoxidein such weightpro ortions'scthezaverage; composition of: said. cogeneric :mixture stated in. terms of: initial: reactants. lies approximately within the segmentofr thei circle'oi thev drawing in which the minimurm alpha-terlpineot content is-.at:f1eastr 4;% and whichcircle-is;identifi'edby the fact that points I, 3 and 6 lie on its circumferences.

4.. A process.- for breaking petroleum emulsions of; the water-inz-oil. type. characterized: by subjetting: the emulsion to; the action of? a; demulsi fleir including a cogeneric mixture of a'homologousi series of: glycol: ethers of alpha-terpineol; said-i cogeneric mixture being. derived exclusively fromialpha-terpineol, ethylene oxidezan-d propylene'ioxide inasuch. weightxproportions. sotheaaverage; composition of'said cogeneric' mixture stated 20 terms: ofini'tial. reactants. liesxapproximatelsg within the triangular areadefinedin: the-accompanying-drawing; by points. I:, 3:and-, 6,

. 5; A processior breaking;- petroleum emulsions of-the water-inroil: type; characterized: by. sub!- jecting the. emulsion-to the actionof a. demulsifier, including acogeneric mixture of ahomologousaseries of glycol'ethers of alpha-terpineol; said, cogeneric mixture being; derived: exclusively from alpha-terpineol, ethyleneoxide and propylene oxidein. such Weight proportions, so: the avenage composition-10f. saidj-cogeneric mixture. stated in: terms of; initial reactants lies: approximately within; the. triangular area rdefinedi the accom'r panying drawing: by" points, 2, 4.; and, 5:.

6.; A. procession breaking petroleum. enmlsiona of; the; .watereinsoil type, 1 characterized; by? sub.- jecting the; emulsion to: the action of demu'lsiifier; including: a cogeneric mixture of a. homologous. series oi. glycol. ethers; of" alpha-terpineol; saidrcogeneric mixture: being: derived exclusively from alpha-terpineol-,. ethylene; oxide andipropyleone oxide in such weight proportions so the; average: composition Ofi said: cogeneric mixture stated in terms:- of initial: reactants lies: approximately at: point I in" the. accompanying: drawing;

T. A process for: breaking-petroleum; emulsions of: the" water-inx-oil type,. characterized. by subjecting the. emulsion. to theaction: of a. demulsifier including a single; cogeneric mixture of a homologus' series of glycol ethers: of falphatferpineoli' said: cogeneri'c; mixture being derived exclusively from alpha-terpineol, ethyleneoxide and1propylenezoxida in such: weight: proportions so= the: average; composition. of i-said'; cogeneric mixture. stated in terms of initial? reactants: lies approximately at point I in theaccompanying drawing.

' MELVINi DE GROOTE':

ARTHUR-F. OWEN-'PE I- 'IINGIDL. V

' REFERENCES? CITED The following references areof record in the fileofthis patent:

UNITED STATES. PATENTS.

Number Name Date:

$233,383 DelGroote et:al; Feb. 25'; 1941 2343330 De Groote etiiala May'z'i; 1 941 2307;058? Moeller Jan. 5', 1943 2,317,726 Boedeker etal Apr. 27; 1943 2,330,474 De Groote Sept.'28; 1943 2,440,093 Israel Apr. 20', 1948 2,481,278: Ballard etal Sept. 6; 1949 

1. A PROCESS FOR BREAKING PETROLEUM EMULSIONS OF THE WATER-IN-OIL TYPE, CHARACTERIZED BY SUBJECTING THE EMULSION TO THE ACTION OF A DEMULSIFIER INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE COGENERIC MIXTURE OF A HOMOLOGOUS SERIES OF GLYCOL ETHERS OF ALPHA-TERPINEOL; SAID COGENERIC MIXTURE BEING DERIVED EXCLUSIVELY FROM ALPHA-TERPINEOL, EHTYLENE OXIDE AND PROPYLENE OXIDE IN SUCH WEIGHT PROPORTIONS SO THE AVERAGE COMPOSITION OF SAID COGENERIC MIXTURE STATED IN TERMS OF INITIAL REACTANTS LIES APPROXIMATELY WITH IN THE TRAPEZOIDAL AREA DEFINED APPROXIMATELY IN THE DRAWING BY POINTS 8, 9, 10 AND
 11. 